Do you think my calf size can decrease?

AwesomeSquirrel

I've fallen in love with a pair of wellington boots. The only problem is that their calf circumference is listed at 39 cm and I'm at 41 cm, I tried them on today and they do not fit (wearing 15DEN tights so practically bare skin). To wear them with skinny jeans tucked in or similar I'm guessing I'd want a circumference of 37 cm at most.

I weigh 98.5 kg right now and I'm looking to lose about 20kg more - however I have not tracked my calf size as I have been losing so I have no idea if my calves have shrunk or if they are likely to. I do a fair amount of running and yoga and I have noticed that my calves are a lot "sharper" looking and defined these days but I wouldn't say they look any smaller than when I weighed 140kg.

I understand that I can't spot reduce, what I'm looking for here is experience from the rest of you - have your calves shrunk? Did you replace the fat with muscle but stayed the same size? What size are your calves at their widest point (esp. ladies around 5'9"/176cm)?

wiseeliz

I have a similar problem, sadly with a pair of boots I already own! I haven't taken any measurements but in the ~3 months since I started working out regularly and changing my diet, I've noticed that my calves have slimmed down a bit (along with the rest of me). I can now almost get them zipped with skinny jeans underneath. I guess I'd say keep doing what you're doing, even if the boots don't work out, it's worth it! Good luck!

Athena53

I haven't bought calf-high boots in years- I'm average weight but I've been into running, swimming and bicycling all my life and my calves have definite muscles that just don't fit into skinny boots. I had one pair that fit in the 1970s and I lost them at some point.

I really wish manufacturers would stop trying to save a few bucks and make their boots a little wider.

jennifertalcott

I have this same very frustrating problem. I, too, am around 5'8" or 5'9" tall, big-boned, and wear a size 11 shoe (US sizing). At my very thinnest, I weighed about 140 lbs. and wore a size 8 (again, US sizing) in clothes, and that was the ONLY time I could buy any sort of tall boots and have them fit my calves. At that weight, people were starting to tell me I was too thin, so it's not like I really had much more weight I could lose and still look healthy. My calves were around 16 or 16 1/2" at my lowest weight, which translates to around 40.5 to 42 cm. But before I got down to 140 lbs., they were around 17 1/2 to 18", so I definitely lost weight in my calves as I lost weight everywhere else.

However (and this may be critical), I was not running back then. I was doing a lot of walking, horseback riding, barn chores, and general outdoor activity, so I was burning calories, but my calves weren't necessary getting the same workout that they do with running.

I am currently working on losing weight again, and I am doing some running. So it will be interesting to see if my calves shrink enough to fit into tall boots again.

Some wellingtons do come in wide-calf widths--but they're harder to find than regular width wellingtons, and of course there aren't as many options for colors, patterns, etc.

Yooperm35

absolutley! I lost 1# in each calf doing 30 Day Shred

wozniaks

I have huge calves as well and good news additionellle and pentingtons now carry boots with wider calves there abit pricey but they fit.

Daysednconfused

I have lost an inch and a half in each of my calves.

AllonsYtotheTardis

I have lost some inches off my calves. But I also know that I'll never be able to wear knee high boots. Even when I was 120 lb and relatively low body fat, I couldn't wear high boots - it's just the way my calves are shaped. :sad:

americangirlok

When I take measurments next I'll let you know. I've added a lot of walking to my day and my calves are definitely tightening up- but I'm not sure if they're smaller.

galvestongal

Absolutley! I have lost a couple inches in my calves by running and 30DS. I had a pair of boots I couldnt even attempt to get on but now they fit albeit slightly snug than I'd like.

RoadsterGirlie

Oh gosh yes your calf size can definitely decrease. When I first started at 215, there was no way I could wear cute tall boots that zip around the calf.

Now 90 lbs later I can wear them all day long. I own four different pairs!!!

RoadsterGirlie

BTW, I'm 5'9" and my calf is 13".

JumpingDog

I would just look for a different boot; it wasn't meant to be. I'm 5'0" and wear a size 7. I very commonly cannot fit my 37.5cm calf into a boot. I honestly think the calf area of boots on the market (especially for teens/young adults) are shrinking crazily.

But if you really like them, I guess you can try. I honestly have gained size in my calves during weight loss.

AwesomeSquirrel

Oh gosh yes your calf size can definitely decrease. When I first started at 215, there was no way I could wear cute tall boots that zip around the calf.

Now 90 lbs later I can wear them all day long. I own four different pairs!!!

You give me so much hope, not least because I'm 217 now

AwesomeSquirrel

I would just look for a different boot; it wasn't meant to be. I'm 5'0" and wear a size 7. I very commonly cannot fit my 37.5cm calf into a boot. I honestly think the calf area of boots on the market (especially for teens/young adults) are shrinking crazily.

But if you really like them, I guess you can try. I honestly have gained size in my calves during weight loss.

I know, I guess it's not shoe-fate but I really want it to be. They are new for SS13 so I have a month or two to track my development and still have a chance to catch them. They are £135 and would be an investment piece so they really do have to fit!!!

My fear is that my calves will gain rather than decrease with all that muscle. Don't get me wrong, I love my legs, they are amazing and strong and actually look pretty good but they don't fit into the boots :sad:

shosho420

Well on the flip side, I have chicken legs, I went from 130 to 200 pounds and my calf's did not gain one inch or pound. My thighs are a different story. I lost 30 pounds and they still never changed (my lower legs). It was hard for my tiny legs to hold up this much fat. I know you can tone your calfs but i don't think they shrink or grow. IDK though, mine never changed.

shosho420

http://www.livestrong.com/article/150783-what-are-the-best-exercises-to-shrink-the-calf-muscle/

sallyaj

I found a line of large calf boots by Etienne Aigner that I LOVE!

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/etienne-aigner-shoes-chip-wide-calf-tall-riding-boots?ID=726119&cm_mmc=Google_Womens_Shoes_Geo_PLA-_-Womens+Shoes+PLA+Sale_Ad+Group+#2-_-16233808589_-_-_mkwid_kKP8xhSF_16233808589|-|kKP8xhSF

AllergicToExercise

I feel your pain, my calves are one of the areas I struggle most with. However I have just done the 30 day shred and have lost almost an inch off each calf so I'm pleased with that.

Schmidty102

Over my last 41lbs lost (my banner is only tracking 2013), I have maybe lost an inch in my calves.

aj445

I have a similar problem with boots. My calves stop them alot of the time lol. But I notice with the 15lbs I've lost that my boots fit better so am definitely losing in the calves, just not very noticeable to my eye. I also don't measure them.

Vailara

Unfortunately, my calves have only gone down about 2 cm during about 20kg of weight loss. I don't know if that's typical or not! However, I did have larger than average, muscular calves when I was slimmer too, and usually couldn't wear wellies or high boots.

AwesomeSquirrel

Unfortunately, my calves have only gone down about 2 cm during about 20kg of weight loss. I don't know if that's typical or not! However, I did have larger than average, muscular calves when I was slimmer too, and usually couldn't wear wellies or high boots.

At least your calves are shrinking though - and it seems like that goes for a lot of people. I will definitely keep tracking my calves in hope that they will show some reduction in a month or two!

cld111

I feel your pain. I have giant calves, and it's so hard to find boots that fit. :sad:

SanteMulberry

I've fallen in love with a pair of wellington boots. The only problem is that their calf circumference is listed at 39 cm and I'm at 41 cm, I tried them on today and they do not fit (wearing 15DEN tights so practically bare skin). To wear them with skinny jeans tucked in or similar I'm guessing I'd want a circumference of 37 cm at most.

I weigh 98.5 kg right now and I'm looking to lose about 20kg more - however I have not tracked my calf size as I have been losing so I have no idea if my calves have shrunk or if they are likely to. I do a fair amount of running and yoga and I have noticed that my calves are a lot "sharper" looking and defined these days but I wouldn't say they look any smaller than when I weighed 140kg.

I understand that I can't spot reduce, what I'm looking for here is experience from the rest of you - have your calves shrunk? Did you replace the fat with muscle but stayed the same size? What size are your calves at their widest point (esp. ladies around 5'9"/176cm)?

Other than long distance running (which will slim down your leg muscles as opposed to sprinting, which will build them up), there is one other thing to try. I lost inches off my calf muscles (without losing any weight) when I got my gait corrected with orthotics in my shoes. When I asked my podiatrist recently if he knew why this was so, he explained that I was previously "overworking" my calf muscles with every step I took (I was "pronating" too much with my feet) and once that was corrected, the muscles that had previously been "overdeveloped" slimmed right down. Before the gait-correction, I would often get cramps in my calves after a day of a lot of walking. Now, my calf muscles don't bother me anymore---it's my arthritis. :ohwell: :laugh:

Lupercalia

I've not lost much off my calves--maybe an inch? That's about it. I've always had muscular calves and tall boots were always rather iffy for me, even at my lowest weight. I'd make sure to try them on before you drop £135, regardless of your measurements.

AwesomeSquirrel

Other than long distance running (which will slim down your leg muscles as opposed to sprinting, which will build them up), there is one other thing to try. I lost inches off my calf muscles (without losing any weight) when I got my gait corrected with orthotics in my shoes. When I asked my podiatrist recently if he knew why this was so, he explained that I was previously "overworking" my calf muscles with every step I took (I was "pronating" too much with my feet) and once that was corrected, the muscles that had previously been "overdeveloped" slimmed right down. Before the gait-correction, I would often get cramps in my calves after a day of a lot of walking. Now, my calf muscles don't bother me anymore---it's my arthritis. :ohwell: :laugh:

Thank you, that is really good advice. My running is slow and steady (and sort-of-far for me, just did a half marathon), definitely not a sprinter. My running shows are currently supposed to help with over-pronation but I will replace them soon and will be sure to do so at a specialist store with gait testing (several in my area, service free of charge) to be sure I find the best fit for me.

crazy4fids

I am 5"9" and currently weigh 168lbs. My starting weight was 185 and back then, my calves were 14". Because I have been running and lifting weights, they have grown .5 inch. My legs have always been in great shape as I worked in a big box home improvement store and did a lot of walking during my shift.

As far as the boots go, are they leather? Maybe you could have them stretched?

DawnieB1977

I've lost about 2 inches off my calves and can finally wear high boots! They were about 41cm and are now 36/37 (one is slightly bigger!). I'm a UK 12.(US 8) mainly, and 5'6.

I bought the boots in Jan after 18 months of hard work! I do personal training, spinning, Zumba and aerobics. Plus I work as a teacher and stand on my feet a lot. I guess the loss is just a combination of all that.

pkw58

I lost from my calfs big time- my boots are now ridiculously big around my calfs and can only wear them with jeans tucked in

arlenem1974

sure it can mine has. At my heaviest my calf was 17.25 in and now 60 lbs. lighter its 14.75 in.